Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-11-26

"You poor thingl yer too poor fur me to
'sociate with" broke in the girl, as she
drew her ragged skirt away with mock
pride.
"See here, Rags, you've alters ben
square with yer father. You've got sun
thin on yer mind. Jist tell me the hull
thing er-I'll cut you off with ten cents,
not havin' the reg lar shillin'."
"Feast your eyes on that" said the girl,
holding out the hand which she had con-
cealed behind her.
The boy fell back a step or two as he
gazed upon the article which she held.
Rags, hain't l brought you up better
ner this? You, you who l picked out the
gutter! Oh! it's sharper than snakes
tail to have priggin' darter."
But l didn't prig the puss," quickly
exclaimed Rags.
"Ahl spoken like me own dutiful child
say Rags, is the puss well heeleds''
Il hain't looked; it's heavy, though,
and it jingles. / only found it while go
over on India wharf. | run all the way
to find you"
Bottles took the purse in his hands. AS
he felt the magic touch of its contents
through the saken meshes it drove all
thought of cold or hunger away.
in the purse was more money than
either had ever before touched. In it
was warmth and victuals, though Bottles
gave no thought to either, so oyerjoyed
was he i'll the possession of the precious
money, real gold and silver, for he could
tell that by its clinking.
The two waits finally, cold and tired,
reached the tumble down structure in
South street, where they lodged They
climbed up the rickety stairways, passed
through the narrow, dark and i'll smelling
halls until they reached the attic door,
upon which Bottles tapped softly.
A small circular disk in one of the
upper panels slid back and a thin, beak
like nose with a pair of red trimmed eyes
appeared in the opening, as sharp, raspy
voice inquired:
''Who's there2''
''Bottles and Rags, b" responded the boy.
The door was opened and the pair passed
into the low, musty smelling room.
''Got 'nthing?n asked the raspy voiced
female.
''Nixy," returned the boy. The purse
in his pocket seemed determined to jingle.
This would have been dire calamity; for
the old woman would have pounced upon
it like Il hawk.
"And you?" asked the woman, turning
The girl held her hands out, palms down
and open.
"Humphl purity pair. No bottles, no
rags; got nothin'! Can't stay here to-
night"
"Oh, yes, mammy-I forgot. I've got
a dime. Can't you let us stay fur that"
broke in Bottles.
"a dime! small huff well, gil me
the money! said the woman
Bottles laid the piece upon her out
stretched palm. She threw a bag hood
over her iron gray locks, and taking a
noseless pitcher from the window sill,
went out.
''Good. She's gone fur beer. When
she drinks beer she sleeps, and when she
sleeps, we counts the contents of this puss.
Rags, 1 say, kid, we'll have daisy time
tomorrow. Did you know tomorrow
was the day fur dom big eatin'? It's q
regular holerday, and all us rich coons
don't have to do nothin' but injoy our
Selves
"a holiesdG.l will the band and the
p'lce and flreworks''-
''Rags, yer out OF yer lattytude, as the
sailors down at the Hum seq. To-mor-
rows Thanksgiving, kid. /"
''What's that, Bottles?''
''The day set part for dom big feedin',
sabes''
"Yup,n responded Rags.
~ say, Rags, did my one see you pick
it up-the pIss2''
''No: jist seen it kinder jammed down
in big crack | knowed it was ducats,
and. when KNOWN thing of that sort